As a young person, I have often seen how social media is a driving force of social connection, and yet, ironically and tragically, one of the largest spaces of social isolation. Each person’s individual life is captured, categorized, and cleaned up.
In these spaces of social connection, there often is so little space to find models of relationship shaped after the example of Jesus and his heart for those around him. How can we, in our relationships, become like the tune “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” (You can listen to a rendition of this song by Alan Jackson).
A sweet melody to the ears of those who hear us, a bright light to those who see us, and a loving presence to those who are around us. The answer is plainly simple. We ought to steward our friendship with Jesus to others.
High Standards? - How Our Friendship With Jesus Shapes Our View of Relationships.
Have you ever heard someone say that they have “high standards” when it comes to relationships? When we hear of high standards, we may think of unrealistic expectations for measuring worthiness. Uniquely, the Bible paints a picture of rich and full authentic relationships. Let's learn about a friendship with Jesus in the scriptures that follow. scripture
Since the beginning, we were made for relationship and made in God’s image.
In Genesis 1:27, we see how we are modeled to be in the image of God, not just in our free will, but in our capacity to be in a relationship. God, a triune God, created relationships for humans that would reciprocate his fellowship in wonderful ways - satisfying, complete, trusting, and faithful.
Desiring relationships is normal and good, but in a broken world, we should all the more value restoration and reconciliation.
Not all relationships are made equal, but we are called to seek to love one another in a relationship, forgiving one another. In Genesis 3:14-24, we know that we experience the consequences of a fallen world, including broken relationships. Yet, the same God of John 3:16, who sent his son Jesus to die for our sins, did so to forgive us of our sin.
Relationships can lead to growth and maturity - we are not the same person we were when we started. Relationships challenge us to think outside of ourselves and should inspire us to think about how we can change to be more like Jesus. Even when we enter a relationship with Jesus, we are no longer the same - as Galatians 2:20 puts it we are a new creation.
Relationships marked by love are what matters the most! We ought to abide in God’s love and share God’s love with others. When we abide in Christ, we can experience God’s love in full; this leads us to as John 15:9-17 puts it to fulfill God’s law. When we experience God’s love, we also learn how God loves us, and we ought to steward God's love to others as it says in 1 John 4:19.
Why Say “See You Later,” and not “Goodbye” After Your High School Graduation
Even when we start out on our post-secondary journeys, it can be easy to become passive with our “old friendships.” As high school comes to a close, you may feel tempted to “start afresh” and even ignore individuals you have grown connections with over the past 4 years of high school. But I encourage you to challenge yourself to consider - what relationships can you continue to steward as you go into post-secondary studies?
Ever since I was young, I have always been a welcomer. When I was around the age of five, I met my childhood best friend, who I welcomed to my school friend group. Over time, our friendship grew, and we were inseparable. We did everything together. We were, in short, friends grown by proximity and matured by similar interests. From synchronized swimming classes to frog dissections, we shared every common interest we could.
But when I entered a public high school, our friendship began to change. As our interests grew apart, our dynamic of friendship began to wane and strain. Gradually and over time, the friendship we shared developed tensions and frustrations as we ineffectively communicated our hopes for the future and differences of perspective. As I entered university, I was quick to look for connections with individuals who were more alike to me. Eventually, with the stress of school and the differences in our life stages, I abandoned the friendship like it was a ship taking on water.
While there were no major reasons as to why I decided to leave my friendship, a major reality dawned on me in the latter years of my university life. That my example of friendship to my childhood best friend had very well demonstrated a careless heart, one absorbed in life changes, and one not situated in the love of Christ.
Years later, in reconnecting with my childhood best friend, I realized that the moment I said “goodbye” was the day I shut down stewarding my friendship. Now, my childhood best friend and I, working through our process of reconciliation and restoration. As we leave our times of reconnecting, we now say to each other, “See you later,” and more joyfully see the work of Christ renewing our relationship.
Questions For Reflection & A Prayer For Fruitful Friendships
If you are looking for helpful ways to reflect on your friendships, look no further! Take a look at these reflection questions below and a prayer for fruitful friendships in transitioning times.
What are some characteristics of our friendship with Jesus that you would like to grow in? Forgiveness, reconciliation, growth and maturity, or love?
Who is a friend from your high school that you would like to continue developing a relationship with as you go to post-secondary studies? What would it look like to journey with them in different transitions and seasons of life?
What are some ways that you can know more about the person of Jesus and how he desires friendship with you?
Prayer for fruitful friendships in transitioning times…
“God, you have given me a beautiful picture of relationships through the example of your son Jesus. When I see the character of friendship I can have with Jesus, I see both my limitations in relationships while living in a broken world, and yet the ways that you give me an opportunity to steward your love. Teach me to recognize your love for me and to bring this love into my friendships, both old and new.
In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.”